A couple was arrested overnight after a man confessed to staging a robbery with his girlfriend.MLive.com File Photo

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — It didn't take long for police to call baloney soon after an apparent restaurant robbery overnight.

A man and his girlfriend are in custody in connection with stealing from a Little Caesars store Monday morning at 1245 Leonard St. NW. Police allege the robbery was staged and planned in advance by the couple, Grand Rapids Police Captain Jeffrey Hertel said.

Officers responded to the restaurant just after 12:30 a.m.

The woman, who is a store employee, told police a man came into the store and demanded money. She turned over an unspecified amount to him, and he fled the scene, Hertel said.

Police became suspicious of the woman and her story almost immediately.

"Her demeanor and mannerisms as a robbery victim wasn't quite constant from what (the officer) was used to," Hertel said.

A K-9 unit tracked some footprints in the snow and led police to a nearby gas station on Walker Avenue NW, ultimately discovering the male suspect, who is a former employee at the Little Caesars store, according to the manager.

The boyfriend admitted to police they staged the heist, Hertel said.

Both have been charged with filing a false police report, embezzlement over $1,000 and conspiracy to embezzle, however, formal charges are expected to be filed later Monday by the Kent County Prosector's Office.

"There were clues for the officer," Hertel said, "and he deserves credit for picking up on them."

Andrew Krietz covers breaking and general police/fire news for MLive | The Grand Rapids Press. Email him at akrietz@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter.